Can you use AI in exams and assessments?

Over the last few years, we have seen a surge of public and workplace use of Generative AI (GenAI), so using it appropriately is an important skill that you should learn whilst studying. 

With the central assessment period just around the corner, we want to highlight our student resources on GenAI and share how you can use these tools effectively to support assessments.  

I want to know more about GenAI

We have created a GenAI hub to help you learn the basics of GenAI and understand GenAI in an educational context. We cover the following topics. 

What is GenAI? 

How does GenAI work? 

Gen AI and academic integrity in assessment 

Writing effective prompts for GenAI 

Capabilities and limitations of GenAI 

Ethics and sustainability of GenAI 

Safeguarding your data with GenAI 

GenAI in work, study and leisure  

Visit our GenAI hub

Or, if you are looking for something a little more in-depth about GenAI in an academic context, visit the Generative AI and Academic Skills Moodle course. 

When can I use GenAI in assessments? The headlines

The level of acceptable GenAI use varies depending on your department and the specific module assessment criteria. What is appropriate for one assessment may not be for another. Always check the assessment instructions and check with your module leaders if you’re not sure what is permitted or forbidden. 

You must: 

• acknowledge GenAI use in the appendix, methods or references section of your work 

• follow any instructions about GenAI use that you find in your assessment information. 

You may: 

• use GenAI to check grammar and spelling (make sure the tool is not rewriting a large proportion of your work, and it hasn’t changed the meaning of what you’ve written. You can read more about using software for language and writing review here)

• use GenAI to help with planning and generating ideas for assessments but be careful - if your assessment instructions say you can’t, those instructions should be prioritised over this guidance 

• use GenAI to help with revision and preparation for assessments. Try asking it to test your knowledge of different topics with flashcards or multiple-choice questions! 

You must not:  

• use GenAI tools to gain unfair academic advantage – this is considered academic misconduct. This always includes: 

- using GenAI without acknowledging it (this is plagiarism) 

- using GenAI to create fake data or sources (this is fabrication) 

- using GenAI in any way which goes against the assessment instructions. 

You can see more information about academic integrity here. 

Here’s a good principle: if you think it would count as cheating to ask a human to do something, don’t ask GenAI to do that thing! 

For a more in-depth look at GenAI in assessments, see our guidance on engaging with GenAI in your education and assessments page.